THE TÁINISTE MARY Coughlan has said that the taoiseach Brian Cowen will make an announcement later today concerning his decision on whether he plans to continue as leader of Fianna Fáil.
Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week programme, Coughlan said that Cowen has completed a two-day round of consultations with hiscolleaguesin relation to his position as party leader, but said that she did not wish to speculate about whether Cowen would lead the party into the next general election.
She added that Fianna Fáil had always put the country first – at times to ...

Tanaiste and Education Minister Mary Coughlan says she will contest the General Election, and has no intention of stepping aside.
In a statement this evening, Ms Coughlan’s spokesperson said -
“The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, has tonight rubbished speculation that she will not be contesting the forthcoming General Election. The Tánaiste was ratified as a candidate in Donegal South West at convention held in Glenties on January 9th last and is fully focused on the campaign ahead”.-
31/Jan/2011
Source: ...

Tanaiste Mary Coughlan has taken over the Health portfolio from Mary Harney, who resigned as Minister last night after more than six years in the post.
The new Minister will not be in her post for long, however, as the general election date has finally been fixed, for Friday March 11.
Mary Coughlan will cover both her existing Department of Education in addition to Health for the remainder of the current Dail.
Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keefe today became the sixth minister this week to tender his resignation.
20/01/2011
Source: www.irishhealth.com
2011-02-07